Used as a chiral building block in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of central nervous system agents. Its stereochemistry makes it valuable for creating enantiomerically pure compounds, which are often required for optimal biological activity. Commonly employed in medicinal chemistry for structure-activity relationship studies and as an intermediate in the preparation of bioactive molecules, including potential receptor agonists or antagonists. Also utilized in asymmetric synthesis due to its ability to induce chirality in subsequent reactions.